I would not have expected that much difference (without seeing images). It should be better than a 960L?
Is there a focus ring on the 2530L? Some models have a little rubber piece with an arrow around the lens where you can rotate it to adjust focus distance.
Are the camera settings the same setting in the camera's F/W web pages?
All good questions. Put the 2530L and 2630L next to each other pointed to the same place outside. Viewed the images on Android (mydlink+), iPad (mydlink+) and Safari on MacOS using IP. Both cameras 24 feet from a strong router. Many settings were adjusted on the 2530L and could never get the image as good as the 2630L, but the available settings are different and not equivalent. (If you want a list or screen shots, I'll post them). In addition it takes much longer to load in on the iPad and Android compared to the other d-link cameras, as listed below.
By poorer image:
1. Reduced contrast
2. Reduced sharpness
3. Less sensitive to the supplemental IR lamp
In addition:
1. cannot make Security Spy display the 2530L, but can make the 2630L display with Security Spy. (5222L profile, jpg http)
2 Takes longer to connect (mydlink, IP address in browser). In multi-view it never connects or takes two plus minutes to connect. In single view it appears within 15 seconds, slower than the 2630L and my other model d-link cameras.
3. cannot make "uViewer for DLink cameras" display the 2530L, but this app works with all my other d-link cameras including the 2630L
So plan on replacing the 2530L with the 2630L. The 2530L = 2MP while the 2630L = 3MP.